I get a lot of questions for racquet comparisons. What racquets would you like to see compared? Here is my Yonex Ezone 2022 Review.
The idea with this Yonex Ezone 2022 Review was to give some more thoughts around the updated Ezone racquets, but also to compare the 100 vs the 98. It’s not always easy to know which one you should go for.
The verdict on my end is that they’re both very good. The specs are remarkably similar too. The 98 is slightly heavier (305g vs 300g) but the swing weigths are exactly the same. In the end, people should try and see what feels best, but there are some general things to take into consideration.
If you want to buy the Yonex Ezone 100 or 98, check out my affiliates: Tennis Warehouse, Tennis Warehouse Europe or Tennis Only. The new Ezone 2022 racquets should be available right now. I get a small commission if you use my links at no extra cost to you.
For a more in-depth look at the Yonex Ezone 98, check out my review. You can also read or watch my Yonex Ezone 100 2022 review.
Yonex Ezone 2022 98 vs 100
A smaller head size racquet will generally offer more control and this is also the case with the new Ezones. The 98 is faster through the air thanks to the smaller head size and thinner beam profile, while the 100 is more powerful, more forgiving (easier to use) and a bit more spin-friendly.
Basically, with a bigger head size of the same racquet model, you pretty much get more of everything. I loved playing with both racquets and was happy to see that Yonex had reduced the stiffness of the 100. The lower stiffness gives you both more control and comfort. The power level of the Ezone 100 is still good and more than what most intermediate to advanced players need.
If like the Ezone 100, but want even more power, go for the upcoming Ezone 100 plus. Yonex always releases longer versions of their bestsellers VCORE and EZONE, so they should release a 98 plus and a 100 plus, which will give you more power thanks to the higher swing weight. You will lose manueverability though.
Summary
The Ezones of 2022 are a nice update from the 2020 version, which I also liked. This generation of Ezones offer better control, but still ease-of-use and playability for a wide range of players. I think these racquets are best suited to aggressive baseliners who go after the ball. If you want maximum topspin from a Yonex racquet – check out the VCORE racquets and for more control, the VCORE Pro is your Yonex racquet line of choice.
The Ezones are my favorite Yonex racquets though and the 98 would be my choice of the two for better control and a faster feel. But both frames are great choices for the attacking baseline player.
11 comments
How do you like the racquet compared to the Pure Drive? Pro and con?
Hi,
I’m currently playing with Pure Drive. I find that to be a bit uncontrollable, I string it using vs gut/rpm blast from Babolat. I am intermediate player, i can hit forehands and backhands quite well when pace is not too high, still challenges with my serve. Would u recommend Ezone 98 or 100 over Gravity MP for me (which was previously your suggestion for intermediate players). I tried Blade 98 v8 but I would prefee something that is a bit easier to use. I read that Gravit MP is like “easy Blade” and I am afraid that Ezone 98 would be too hard to play and 100 would be too close to Pure Drive.
Ps. Thanks for you amazing content!
Hi Janne,
I think you need to test a few racquets. The Ezone 100 is more controlled than the Pure Drive but still powerful. A low-powered 100 (Textreme Tour 100P or HEAD Speed MP is a good choice) or high-powered 98 like the Ezone 98 or Tecnifibre Tfight RS 300 could be the way to go.
Congrats on amazing content. You mention that stiffness was reduced on these versions, but still quite high (when you look at the numbers). You also mention that didn’t feel arm issues with them. Do these Yonex racquets have anything that allow it to be comfortable despite the relatively high stiff figures?
hello, i play with the ezone DR 98, do you recomend the change for this new one? what’s the difference? thanks
Once again excellent vlog, just ordered demos of ezone 100 and rafa aero to compare
Hi there,
which soft poly string would you recommend for the new EZONE 100, 2022, 300gr?
Cheers Rob
Yonex Poly Tour Pro 1.25 yellow at 52 lbs
Thank you for the review.
Correct me if I am wrong, but when you wrote: “Basically, with a bigger head size of the same racquet model, you pretty much get more of everything.”
Wouldn’t you agree that “you get more of everything” at the cost of control/precision?
yes, sorry if that was unclear, everything comes at a cost.
I’m a 45 year old competition level player (train with semi pros and I play ITF Masters Tour) and really love your analysis. I only began really understanding this game 10 years ago and your analysis has taken my understanding to a whole different level.
A friend of mine is testing out the 2022 Yonex 98 eZone 305g (7th gen) with HyperG Soft full bed 22 /19.8kg. He’s recently had arm issues (tennis elbow) as he came back to the sport after a 30 year hiatus and played with his old Volkl from the 90s. One day he played 3 straight hours (he’s my age) and after that he got tennis elbow. He is now very reluctant to try another racquet for fear of a relapse. I explained to him that having an arm friendly set up is not just about the racquet (although you need to target a frame that is not too stiff around 65-67 and a swing weight which is sub 320) as you also need to choose the right strings and even more importantly the right string tension.
Given the Yonex 98 eZone set up I have described above would you say he should give it a try? For full disclosure this was a racquet I was eying for myself but when I tried it it played a little differently to my Tfight 300 RS and decided to stick with the Tfight as for my game where I like to use spin particularly on the forehand side, the Tfight felt more natural with (for my game at least which is more all around) a more consistent feel.